From Fetch to First Mate
Several times each weekend, I take my golden retriever Ralph down to the lakeshore to play fetch in the sand. Before leaving the house, I’ll stock up on old, beat-up tennis balls and Ralph will begin wagging his tail in anticipation. Once we get to the beach, the dog is a veritable blur of kinetic energy. Last week, I accidentally tossed the ball out into the water, and Ralph didn’t hesitate a moment before jumping in and grabbing it in his jaws.
That little incident gave me an idea. As an avid sailor, I’m always looking for companions to join me on my catamaran as I whisk through the waves. Could Ralph be trusted to serve as first mate on such voyages? To ensure his safety, I purchased a dog lifejacket online and we took the boat out into shallow water. To my surprise and delight, he perched patiently at the bow with his tongue lolling in the breeze. We’ve been sailing together ever since.